Top Rank Petitions WBO to Make Raymond Muratalla Mandatory for Shakur Stevenson
Top Rank has formally asked the WBO to designate Raymond Muratalla as the mandatory challenger for Shakur Stevenson's light welterweight title.
Top Rank has formally petitioned the WBO to install Raymond Muratalla as the mandatory challenger for Shakur Stevenson's light welterweight title, per a report from Dan Rafael at Boxing News 24.
Muratalla holds the WBO's No. 1 ranking at 140 pounds and previously held the IBF lightweight title before moving up in weight. Top Rank's letter to the sanctioning body stated that "Muratalla meets the needed criteria and is ranked No. 1 by the WBO."
The petition comes at a time of uncertainty around Stevenson's career. The WBO champion has been out of the ring for nearly nine months, dating back to his victory over Teofimo Lopez in January. Stevenson's departure from Zuffa Boxing has left him free to negotiate with other promoters, but his reported asking price of $15 million has complicated potential matchups.
Earlier talks with Devin Haney failed to produce a deal, and Dalton Smith's team has also expressed interest following Smith's WBC title defense on Saturday. But a mandatory designation from the WBO would force the issue, potentially leading to purse bids if Stevenson and Muratalla cannot reach a voluntary agreement.
The WBO has not yet acted on the petition. If the organization orders the fight, it would set a negotiation window before moving to a purse bid, where the highest bidding promoter wins the right to stage the bout.
This is the right move from Top Rank and I think it is smart timing. Stevenson is sitting on the belt, asking for $15 million, and nobody is lining up to pay it. At some point the WBO has to step in and tell him to fight or vacate.
Muratalla is a real threat at 140. He gave up the IBF lightweight belt to chase bigger fights at this weight, and he is not going to sit around waiting for Stevenson to pick his dance partner. A mandatory designation forces Shakur's hand.
The interesting wrinkle is the money. If this goes to a purse bid, Stevenson is not getting anywhere near $15 million. He knows that. So the question becomes whether he defends the belt at a price he does not love or gives it up and chases a bigger payday elsewhere. My guess: he takes the fight, because vacating looks terrible and Stevenson cares about legacy.
https://www.boxingnews24.com/2026/10/raymond-muratalla-seeks-mandatory-shot-at-shakur-stevenson/
